FM: Serbia committed to Kosovo compromise

Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic has said Serbia is committed to reaching a compromise over the Kosovo issue. That compromise would represent a mutually acceptable comprehensive solution for the southern Serbian province, he told an audience at Harvard University on Thursday. FM: Serbia committed to Kosovo compromise Jeremic underlined that is the only possible way to lasting and just peace between the Serbs and the ethnic Albanians in Kosovo. According to him, that would at the same time secure a democratic transformation of the Balkans. Pointing out that Serbia is ready for talks with Pristina, which marked the third anniversary of its unilateral declaration of independence on Thursday, Jeremic said that in order to achieve sustainable and just peace, all sides involved in the matter have to give up on their "maximalistic" demands. That is the very essence of compromise and negotiations, Jeremic noted. The Serbian foreign minister underscored that the wellbeing and the stability of the entire region should be in the center of the negotiating process, which would make it possible to complete the democratic transformation of the Balkan region. Jeremic also addressed the present situation in Kosovo, saying that it was worse than three years ago. "Unemployment exceeds 50 percent, corruption is out of control, the financial sector is facing a breakdown, and human rights are being constantly violated, especially against non-Albanians," Jermic said, adding that Kosovo's international status is also uncertain. "To sum it up, Kosovo has found itself stuck in legal, political and economic chaos, which is the result of its attempt to secede unilaterally from Serbia," he added. Presenting details of the history of events which led to the present situation in Kosovo, Jeremic cited the allegations of Council of Europe special rapporteur Dick Marty had put forward in his report on human organ trafficking and the inhuman treatment of non-Albanians. He emphasized that light has to be shed on the serious allegations and the truth revealed, as that is a key ethical and every other obligation. The issue must not be politicized, and all diplomatic disagreements over Kosovo have to put aside, he added. For justice to be met, it is essential that a thorough and independent criminal investigation be carried out with international mandate, Jeremic stressed. This means that just like in resolving all other war crimes in the Balkans, the UN Security Council has to be engaged in the process as well, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic concluded. Vuk Jeremic (Tanjug, file)

FM: Serbia committed to Kosovo compromise

Jeremić underlined that is the only possible way to lasting and just peace between the Serbs and the ethnic Albanians in Kosovo.

According to him, that would at the same time secure a democratic transformation of the Balkans.

Pointing out that Serbia is ready for talks with Priština, which marked the third anniversary of its unilateral declaration of independence on Thursday, Jeremić said that in order to achieve sustainable and just peace, all sides involved in the matter have to give up on their "maximalistic" demands.

That is the very essence of compromise and negotiations, Jeremić noted.

The Serbian foreign minister underscored that the wellbeing and the stability of the entire region should be in the center of the negotiating process, which would make it possible to complete the democratic transformation of the Balkan region.

Jeremić also addressed the present situation in Kosovo, saying that it was worse than three years ago.

"Unemployment exceeds 50 percent, corruption is out of control, the financial sector is facing a breakdown, and human rights are being constantly violated, especially against non-Albanians," Jermic said, adding that Kosovo's international status is also uncertain.

"To sum it up, Kosovo has found itself stuck in legal, political and economic chaos, which is the result of its attempt to secede unilaterally from Serbia," he added.

Presenting details of the history of events which led to the present situation in Kosovo, Jeremić cited the allegations of Council of Europe special rapporteur Dick Marty had put forward in his report on human organ trafficking and the inhuman treatment of non-Albanians.

He emphasized that light has to be shed on the serious allegations and the truth revealed, as that is a key ethical and every other obligation.

The issue must not be politicized, and all diplomatic disagreements over Kosovo have to put aside, he added.

For justice to be met, it is essential that a thorough and independent criminal investigation be carried out with international mandate, Jeremić stressed.

This means that just like in resolving all other war crimes in the Balkans, the UN Security Council has to be engaged in the process as well, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić concluded.